Outside body

Purposes

The Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) is a committee established by the Environment Agency under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 that brings together members appointed by Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) and independent members with relevant experience for three purposes:

·        to ensure there are coherent plans for identifying, communicating and managing flood and coastal erosion risks across catchments and shorelines;

·        to promote efficient, targeted and risk-based investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management that optimises value for money and benefits for local communities;

·        to provide a link between the Environment Agency, LLFAs, other risk management authorities, and other relevant bodies to engender mutual understanding of flood and coastal erosion risks in its area.

Statutory Functions and the role of the RFCC

Section 23 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires the Environment Agency (the Agency) to:

§  consult with each RFCC about the way it proposes to carry out its flood and coastal erosion risk management functions in the Committee’s region (s23(1)(a)).    

§  take into account representations made by the Committee about the exercise of its flood and coastal erosion risk management functions in the Committee’s region (s23(1)(b)). 

§  obtain the consent of the RFCC before the Agency can implement its regional programme for the Committee’s region (s23(2)). 

§  obtain the consent of the RFCC before the Agency can issue a levy under Section 17 of the Act (s23(3)).

§  obtain the consent of the Committee to the spending of revenue under Section 118 of the Water Resources Act in the region where the revenue is raised (s23(4)).

Additional considerations

In pursuit of these purposes, the RFCC will:

§  support  the delivery of Government flood and coastal erosion risk management policy and strategy, taking into account Defra and Welsh Government and Agency guidance;

§  support the Agency in its strategic overview role by providing a link between national and local flood and coastal erosion risk management and in assisting LLFAs in the development of their Local Flood Risk Management Strategies;  

§  review LLFA outputs under the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 and other current requirements imposed on LLFAs by legislation and guidance;

§  review and endorse Catchment Flood Management Plans and Shoreline Management Plans;

§  review and endorse medium and long term business plans for its region.

§  promote partnership with project sponsors to secure external contributions and consider how levy funding will be used along with other sources of funding to deliver the regional programme and longer term strategic objectives;

§  monitor and review reports on the performance and financial management of flood and coastal erosion risk management functions;

§  work with partners to raise awareness of flood and coastal erosion risk management within its region;

§  take into account wider environmental considerations within its region that will be influenced by flood and coastal erosion risk management decisions.

§  Report periodically on its work.

For details of meetings click here